It is “Watch List” season as college football nears its start. With the success Arizona State football had last season, several players are being singled out. The Sun Devils won their first Big 12 title last season and are expected to contend again since 17 starters are returning.
Lists are not final. Players can be added at any point in the season.
Here is a list of which ones have been highlighted. We will update this page as more lists are released.
Other release dates:
- July 30: Paycom Jim Thorpe Award/Butkus Award
- July 31: Paul Hornung Award/Allstate Wuerffel Trophy
- Aug. 1: Lou Groza Award/Ray Guy Award
- Aug. 4: Walter Camp Award
- Aug. 5: Doak Walker Award
- Aug. 6: Biletnikoff Award
- Aug. 7: Davey O’Brien Award
- Aug. 8: Mackey Award/Rimington Trophy
- Aug. 11: Bednarik Award
Bronko Nagurski, Outland Trophy
Junior defensive tackle C.J. Fite of Arizona State is on the “Watch List” for two prestigious awards going to defensive players. The Tatum, Texas, native had been singled out in the Bronko Nagurski and Outland Trophy preseason watch lists.
There are 60 defensive standouts listed for the Nagurski award, which goes annually to the top defensive player in the country. The award has been handed out since 1993. It features players from 41 different schools in eight Division I FBS conferences and independents.
The Charlotte Touchdown Club will announce four finalists in mid-to-late November, and the winner will be revealed at the Bronko Nagurski Awards Banquet on Dec. 8 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
There are 50 players listed for the Outland, which goes to the top interior defensive lineman. The recipient will be announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards, live on ESPN on Dec. 12. The official trophy presentation to the winner will be made at the Outland Trophy Awards Dinner on Jan. 21, in Omaha, Nebraska.
There are 16 guards and 15 offensive tackles on this year’s list to go with 10 defensive tackles and nine centers. This is the first time since 2012 for guards to lead the Outland Trophy Watch List player selection.
Fite, a 6-foot-2, 310-pounder, saw considerable playing time in 2023 as a true freshman. He emerged as a full-time starter in 2024 and went on to earn second-team All-Big 12 honors. He recorded 30 tackles, two sacks, and a fumble recovery in helping ASU to its first Big 12 title. That fumble recovery came against Mississippi State with the Bulldogs pinned deep in their own territory and Fite returned it for a touchdown that put the Sun Devils up 19-3 in the second quarter.
Maxwell Award
Defending Big 12 champion Arizona State had two players singled out for the Maxwell award, which goes to the top player in college football. They are quarterback Sam Leavitt and wide receiver Jordyn Tyson.
Last season, Leavitt threw for 2,855 yards and 24 touchdowns with only six interceptions, while igniting the Sun Devils to an 11-3 record. His best game came at Oklahoma State when he threw for 304 yards and three touchdowns.
Leavitt, who will be a redshirt sophomore, was named the Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year, which put him on the radar for the coming season. Earlier this summer, he was named a second-team Walter Camp preseason All-American.
Tyson also had a breakout season by catching 75 passes for 1,101 yards and 10 touchdowns. His season ended a bit early after breaking a collarbone in the regular season finale against rival Arizona. His best game of the season came in a win at Kansas State when he tallied 12 catches for 176 yards.
He was named the Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the season. Like Leavitt, he was a second-team Walter Camp preseason All-American. In some early projections, Tyson is singled out as the top wide receiver off the board in the next NFL draft.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona State players named to watch lists ahead of 2025 season